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Swardman chooses Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engine

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Swardman chooses Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engine: Czech garden machinery business Swardman s.r.o has partnered with power solutions provider Briggs & Stratton to create the Edwin 95 high-performance professional reel mower, featuring Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard® 200 single cylinder engine.

One of the widest single reel mowers available worldwide, the Edwin 95 delivers an exceptionally precise cut with its 8-blade reel across an impressive cutting width of 95cm.  The mower is powered by the Vanguard 200 single cylinder engine, which delivers a power supply of 6hp, while remaining under the 20kg weight limit – both key metrics in the product’s development.

Swardman chooses Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engine

Swardman chooses Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engine

Swardman wanted a well-recognised industry name and good reputation for its partner in developing the Edwin 95, which led them to Briggs & Stratton following previous successful collaborations.  The Vanguard 200 was integrated into the mower using 3D drawings supplied by the power provider, while the frame and mounting flange preparation was also accelerated using data supplied by the engine manufacturer.

Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard 200 is a horizontal shaft drop-fit solution, with no re-engineering required and features exclusive innovations, such as TransportGuard™, a 3-in-1 control that eliminates oil/fuel dilution. The engine enjoys optimised fuel management to improve resistance to stale fuel and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) thanks to its unmatched 600-hour air filter replacement intervals – double the industry standard. Plus, the Vanguard 200 includes a new optimised 3-step starting process that allows for a shorter rope pull with less force required.

Swardman is delighted with the resulting Edwin 95, in particular the exceptional load acceptance and fast engine responsiveness, which ensures uninterrupted operation. The mower’s performance of up to 7,885 m² per hour allows a standard football pitch to be mowed in slightly more than half the time of a match!

Michael Suchanka, CEO at Swardman said, “We were confident that choosing a Vanguard engine would give us reliability backed by Briggs & Stratton’s strong customer service. In addition, the extended engine service intervals provide significant added value by reducing the TCO and downtime. Given our excellent experience with Briggs & Stratton, we had no hesitation in selecting a Vanguard commercial engine.”

Tomas Mika, Manager Regional Sales for Central Eastern Europe & Balkans at Briggs & Stratton, noted: “The Vanguard 200 is one of our top-selling engines for many reasons. It’s reliable and powerful, yet lightweight, making this single-cylinder horizontal shaft engine an excellent choice for professional applications. With the added value of our free-of-charge extended warranty, customers can enjoy four years of peace of mind while using Swardman’s exceptional product.”

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ICL Acquires GreenBest

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ICL Acquires GreenBest: ICL Growing Solutions, a global leader in specialty fertilisers, announce today the acquisition of GreenBest, a UK-based manufacturer specialising in tailored specialty fertilisers and solutions for the Sports Turf, Landscape, and Horticulture markets.

This marks ICL Growing Solutions’ third strategic acquisition this year, following Nitro 1000, a Brazilian leader in biostimulants, and CAF, a North American leader of customised agricultural formulations. Together, these acquisitions demonstrate ICL’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and customised solutions, reinforcing its leadership in these core specialty markets.

ICL Acquires GreenBest

ICL Acquires GreenBest

Enhanced Capabilities for Customer-Focused Solutions

With over 25 years of expertise in custom manufacturing in advanced granular and liquid nutrition portfolios, GreenBest has built a strong reputation for agility and customer-focused solutions. Its established presence in the Turf, Landscape, and Horticulture sectors, combined with a strong distribution network, enhances ICL’s ability to deliver sustainable, tailor-made solutions to customers worldwide.

Elad Aharonson, President of ICL Growing Solutions, stated: “The acquisition of GreenBest further solidifies our leadership in the Turf, Landscape, and Horticulture markets. GreenBest’s agility, customer focus, and responsive manufacturing capabilities will enable us to better serve our customers with innovative, tailor-made solutions that address their specific needs.”

Expanding Reach and Customer Impact

With GreenBest joining ICL’s global platform, ICL will further expand its market reach while continuing to prioritise its customer-first approach. The synergy between GreenBest’s specialised expertise and ICL’s global resources is set to deliver a strong value proposition to customers.

Tim Le Mesurier, Founder and Managing Director of GreenBest, commented: “The GreenBest team is thrilled to join the ICL family. It will enable both to combine their strengths, expand their innovation capabilities, and provide even greater value to our customers worldwide.”

Commitment to the Turf, Landscape and Horticulture Markets

This acquisition aligns with ICL’s strategic focus on growing its leadership in the specialty Turf, Landscape, and Horticulture markets. It underscores ICL’s commitment to driving innovation and supporting customers with cutting-edge technologies and reliable supply to deliver exceptional solutions and continue shaping the future of these dynamic industries.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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BOSS lines up for LAMMA

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BOSS lines up for LAMMA: BOSS Off-Road Vehicles will be at the LAMMA agricultural show to showcase the latest addition to their line-up.

The PathCross ATV is described by its manufacturer, AODES, as its newest sensation and a trailblazer in their off-road series. The PathCross boasts a modular design and a choice of several models featuring V-Twin engines in 650cc, 1000cc and the new single cylinder 525cc displacements. The main features include an Active Emission Cooling (AEC) system, superior ground clearance and suspension travel, hydraulic breaking operating four-wheel disc brakes, and an adjustable front and automatic rear differential system. BOSS says the PathCross complements the range of vehicles they distribute and support in the UK.

BOSS lines up for LAMMA

BOSS lines up for LAMMA

The Corvus Terrain range comprises the EX4 100% electric 4×4 utility vehicle and DX4 rugged diesel UTV. The Terrain is designed from the ground up for agriculture, groundscare, forestry, and construction work. The Powerland Tachyon is a complete, fully electric (Li-ion) road-legal ATV with tractor homologation, and environmental benefits. The Paxster range features all-electric, compact, and agile utility vehicles suited to an exceptionally wide range of applications. Built for sustainability, they are available as new, and 2nd Drive last nut and bolt factory refurbished models. Faunamaster products include multifunctional and timesaving compact seed drills, sprayers, and flail mowers designed for use with an ATV, UTV, or tractor. BOSS also distributes the Air-ROPS AR-QUAD, an automatic rollover protection system for ATVs that expands when the rollover is irreversible. It provides, they say, the highest level of protection and the most ergonomic solution on the market. BOSS Off-Road Vehicles are on Stand 6.830 at LAMMA.

For more information you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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New branch manager for Reesink Scotland

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New branch manager for Reesink Scotland: Mike Turnbull brings six years’ experience as Regional Manager looking after UK Reesink dealers, customers and retail partners, bolstered by more than 20 years working at Toro Spellbrook, to his new role of Branch Manager at Reesink Scotland, the distributor’s service branch based in Livingstone.

Supporting all of Scotland in distribution and service, Reesink believes Mike will bring huge benefit to this extensive geographical area for the business, thanks to his extensive expertise.

New branch manager for Reesink Scotland

New branch manager for Reesink Scotland

Scotland, being the home of golf, is the location of the country’s, and indeed world’s, most prestigious golf clubs, many of which are long-term Toro commercial machinery and irrigation customers, including major sporting venues, councils, local authorities and landscapers who favour the comprehensive grounds machinery range from Toro.

“We have many of the business’s key customers in Scotland and a team of staff at the top of their game, and it will be an honour to lead the branch forward in our plans to grow existing and build new customer relationships in the golf and groundscare sectors,” Mike says.

“My focus will be to make sure all existing deals, service packages and backup and support requirements are catered for and plot a new course of growth for the branch.”

With growth in mind, one of the first jobs Mike will be responsible for is launching a satellite branch in the north of the country to service the area north of Aberdeen. He says: “Our branch in West Lothian is convenient for its central location and good transport links, but with the level of work and customers we have spread over such a large area that has grown since we opened eight years ago means it’s time for additional resource over a bigger area.

“We’re currently staffing this new facility and already have Jim McKay, Area Sales Manager North and Gordon Rodgers, a full-time mechanic/engineer in position. The fully supported hub will make it easier for customers in the north to access our maintenance and genuine parts after-sales services.”

For Mike, who is Scottish, this move marks a return home. “It was a hard decision to leave the role I was doing. I was working with some of the best dealers in the UK and the relationships we formed were really successful. I will miss that, but the timing was right. I  view it as the same job but with a different office and I am looking forward to bringing all I have learned over the years to Scotland to drive the branch forward and benefit our customers there.”

To speak to Reesink Scotland about what brands, services and expertise it can offer, call 01506 300880.

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME: Golf course management has entered a new era of efficiency and innovation, the very best of both will be showcased by Baroness on stand 624 at BTME 2025.

Two never-before-seen machines will be making their global debut in Harrogate – combining the craftmanship and industry-leading cut quality renowned with the Baroness brand, with the technology of tomorrow.

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Due for release later in 2025, but being showcased at BTME in January, will be the LMB12 battery mower. The LMB12 is a lightweight, battery-operated pedestrian mower, compact at just 42cm in width and ideal for the delicate cutting on slopes such as steep bunker edges or the delivery of precise presentation on ornamental lawns and gardens. Providing the epitome of operator safety, the LMB12 promises the renowned Baroness samurai-sharp cylinder cut in a package which all-but eliminates noise and harmful emissions.

There will also be a first glance at an incredibly exciting expansion to the Baroness portfolio, in the form of the fully-autonomous ULM272 fairway mower. While it remains in early prototype phase, attendees at BTME will be able to see this first machine from their Unmanned Machine Series which is set to become the new industry standard.

Scheduled for launch in 2026, the ULM272 pairs 110-years of manufacturing experience with cutting-edge GPS technology to create a machine that will bring labour savings, boost efficiency and maintain the availability of your expertly skilled workforce.

The solutions for tomorrow will sit proudly alongside the best of what Baroness has to offer today, with machines including the LM551B fairway mower, GM2810A five-deck rotary mower and LM311 all-hydraulic triplex also on display. Another highlight is set to be the AgriMetal GR-660 greens roller. The high-spec yet affordable GR-660 model features a 66” roll width and is equipped with the solid, low-maintenance synchro belt drive system which allows smoother direction transitions.

More information on the entire Baroness range is available by speaking to the technical team, on hand to assist visitors to stand 624 across the three days.

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